Relaxed and Dementia Friendly Performances

A welcoming environment for all

Minor adjustments to a performance can make a big difference. We offer two types of less formal theatre performances - Relaxed and Dementia Friendly. 

Relaxed performances

  1. Against a dark blue background, text reads 'Roald Dahl's The BFG'. 'Roald Dahl' is in white, with 'The BFG' in a magical, shimmering type with pink, purple, orange and teal glowing and blending throughout. The texture of the text is like a tree trunk or branch.

    Relaxed Performance: Roald Dahl's The BFG

    31 March at 2.00pm
  2. A young woman stands totally surrounded by flowers. They flood the background and cover her strapless, floor-length gown. The flowers are a mixture of pink, white, yellow and orange tones. The woman holds her hand behind her back and looks off to the side with a content, quietly confident facial expression.

    Relaxed Performance: My Fair Lady

    1st September at 2.30pm
  3. A young girl in a red winter coat hugs a small Christmas tree. She is smiling contentedly with her eyes closed, and has a red tartan bow in her hair. The tree is decorated with red tinsel, purple baubles and gold twinkly lights. Snow is falling around them.

    Relaxed Performance: Hey! Christmas Tree

    9th December at 10.30am
  4. A vast expanse of dark blue sea and a deep blue night sky filled with stars. There is a singular island in the water, with the moon rising from the horizon behind it and a boat sailing past. From the island, a sparkling green outline of a fairy is bursting across the sky, leaving a brilliant trail of glitter.

    Relaxed Performance: Peter Pan: A musical adventure

    30th December at 2pm

If you would benefit from a more laid-back environment - particularly if you are an autistic or neurodivergent person or have a learning disability - our Relaxed Performances are for you!

These performances include small changes to create a more comfortable environment. You're welcome to come and go during the show, we'll reduce the volume and keep our houselights at a low level so you're never completely in the dark.

At our Relaxed Performances we introduce the show and the characters, and highlight some of the moments that may make you jump or anxious. We have a chill-out area in the foyer so you can take a break, but still watch the show on a screen if you prefer.


Want to get to know the space before your visit? Take a look at our Visual Story for the Festival Theatre below

Relaxed Performances kindly sponsored by Wates Developments

Very impressed with the care and thought put into the relaxed performance, the introduction was really useful and the bean bags outside a good idea, thank you

Audience member, The Famous Five Relaxed Performance (2022)


Dementia Friendly Performances are designed for people living with dementia to enjoy with their families, friends and carers.

The performance includes small changes to create a more comfortable environment. You're welcome to come and go during the show, we'll reduce the volume and keep our houselights at a low level so you're never completely in the dark.

At our Dementia Friendly Performances, we do a little recap after the interval just to bring you up to speed before settling into the second act.

For more information email access@cft.org.uk or you can call the Box Office on 01243 781312

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It was lovely to share the experience of going to the theatre with my husband who has Alzheimer's. This was a time we could have a normal life for a few hours.

Audience member, Crazy for You Dementia Friendly Performance (2022)

CFT Dementia Friendly activities kindly sponsored by George Ide LLP